Ephs win regional final, 5-0, and advance to Quarterfinals
WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. – As Williams advances deeper into the NCAA tournament, every round continues to get tougher than the previous match and the squad must up their mental and physical toughness.
After sending St. Lawrence home in less than two hours yesterday, the Ephs faced off against a more competitive Wellesley squad in the regional final today.
Having been battle tested yesterday against Tufts, Wellesley was coming off a great program win. Williams displayed their hard work this season, and handled the challenge with ease in a 5-0 win to advance to the NCAA quarterfinals.
The Ephs played three solid doubles matches, but Wellesley seemed determined to not bow out so easily. Williams was challenged early on in singles play. At court one, Cary Gibson struggled to find her game and fell in the first, 1-6. Both Ashley Parsons and Nikki Reich managed to take a first set of each of their matches, 6-4, but battled to do so.
At court two, Grace Baljon’s power hitting proved too tough for her opponent and she tallied the fourth point of the match for Williams with a 6-4, 6-2 result. yes;"> Reich had upped the intensity of play at court four, and minutes after Baljon’s victory, sealed the match for the Ephs with a 6-4, 6-1 finish.
“Wellesley is a very good team, and they pushed us,” said Williams head coach Alison Swain. “But we showed we’re ready. We’re peaking at the right time, and playing very well. We’re thrilled to be going to Minnesota!”
Williams will face the winner of Mary Washington and John Hopkins in a quarterfinal match on May 13.
Williams 5, Wellesley 0
Doubles:
1) Cary Gibson/Annie Schneidman (Wi) def. Jenna Mezin/Hali Walther (We) --- 8-2
2) Allie Rottkamp/Grace Baljon (Wi) def. Jen Schwarzkopf/Trish Devine (We) --- 8-4
3) Annie Hancock/Nikki Reich (Wi) def. Shivani Saxena/Jacqueline Shen (We) --- 8-5
Singles:
1) Gibson (Wi) tied with Mezin (We) --- 1-6, 6-1 DNF
2) Baljon (Wi) def. Schwarzkopf (We) --- 6-3, 6-2
3) Ashley Parsons (Wi) led. Meghan Stubblebine (We) --- 6-4, 4-3
4) Reich (Wi) def. Devine (We) --- 6-4, 6-1
5) Rottkamp (Wi) vs. Saxena (We) --- DNP
6) Hancock (Wi) vs. Shen (We) --- DNP
